In 2007, Murphy wrote and produced an original TV movie titled Nobody. In the same year, he worked as a writer and co-executive producer for the supernatural-themed comedy-drama Reaper. He also contributed original songs to Nobody and Reaper. In 2008, Murphy created the short-lived comedy-drama Valentine. In October 2009, Murphy joined the staff of the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica.[2] A month later, he became the showrunner for the SyFy drama, taking over from Jane Espenson.[3]

Since 2009, Murphy has been working with Tom Welling to develop the September 2010 series Hellcats television series for the CW, based on the book Cheer: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders by Kate Torgovnick.[2] He was also working on a drama titled Velvet Hammer for USA Network.[2]

Murphy is currently the producer for SyFy Network's series Defiance.[4]

Murphy wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the book for the musical Reefer Madness. It was his third collaboration with writer-composer Dan Studney, but the first to be professionally produced. For the off-Broadway production of Reefer Madness, Murphy was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for "Outstanding Lyrics".[1] In 2005, Murphy and Studney adapted their stage musical for television for Showtime. The song "Mary Jane/Mary Lane", which they composed for the television adaptation, won an Emmy Award for Music and Lyrics.[1]

As of 2009[update], Murphy is developing a musical adaptation of the 1988 film Heathers.[2] Murphy has written the book and lyrics, and the score is by Laurence O'Keefe, composer of Legally Blonde: The Musical.[5] Three staged readings of the Heathers musical have taken place, with Kristen Bell in the starring role; as of 2009[update], the creators hoped for a regional production in 2010, to be followed by a Broadway run in 2011.[2][5] In 2013, the musical began a run Sept. 21 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles.[6] The musical then began an Off-Broadway run in March 2014 and closed in August 2014. There are rumors of a movie musical coming in 2016, as well as a Broadway run.